The biggest club-level soccer match is on! The first period between Chelsea and PSG at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is already over, and a similarly thrilling second period is on its way. However, despite the action on the pitch is making sure the fans get their money’s worth at the MetLife Stadium, it seems like the diehard soccer loyalists can’t get over the pre-game shenanigans.

The starting lineups of the two Club World Cup finalists were introduced over the PA system to hype the fans ahead of the kick-off. Goes without saying, it wasn’t something that soccer fans are used to. However, it did seem like FIFA was trying to nod its hat at the host nation’s love for larger-than-life theatrics to wrap up the tournament in style. But that didn’t sit too well with the fans who were looking for an undiluted soccer experience.

The Verge‘s Tom Warren took to X on July 13 to note his disapproval of the pre-game rascality at the Club World Cup Final. “FIFA Club World Cup final or boxing? The build up was a total cringe fest,” Warren slammed FIFA for its desperate attempts at Americanizing the Chelsea vs PSG match. However, the pre-game introductions were only one part of the things that the fans didn’t seem to rally behind.

Donald J. Trump, the President of the United States, made a surprise visit to the Club World Cup. However, when the Jumbotron focused on the POTUS during the Star Spangled Banner being played, the crowd didn’t greet him with too much enthusiasm. Moreover, the pre-game aerial show by the country’s aviation specialists also failed to spark excitement among the fans. Still, it seemed like introducing the players to the pitch in boxing style was what irked the fans the most.

For the most part, outside of the US, soccer remains a sport that is largely followed and enjoyed by the working masses. Under such conditions, fans aren’t used to too much bling and showing-off on the pitch, even during high-stakes matches. Naturally, with FIFA deciding to up the game for the Club World Cup Final, the soccer buffs were caught off guard.

“It was pure comedy,” one fan smirked over how the players being introduced at the MetLife Stadium felt like a hard detour from the ideals of the sport. Others also seemed to be on the same page.

Fans take a dig Club World Cup Final razzmatazz

This year’s CWC was historic in more than one way. This was the first time that the FIFA tournament replicated the World Cup structure for the ongoing competition, as 32 clubs from all over the world took part in the CWC. Making things even more memorable, this was also the first time that a halftime show entertained the attendees at the MetLife Stadium for the first time in the elite tournament’s history. But nothing could take away the fact that the pre-game extravaganza was a touch too much. “Nah that opening for club World Cup final was just cringe. Wdym blue corner, white corner??? Is this boxing?  What was that even??” one fan couldn’t help but complain. 

To add to the fans’ annoyance, the legendary boxing in-ring announcer Michael Buffer was given the responsibility to announce the players at the Club World Cup Final. While Buffer’s voice and gusto make him a beloved character among boxing fans, he was a misfit at tonight’s high-stakes soccer match. Referring to that, one fan commented, “Is there anything more cringe than having Michael Buffer at the club World Cup final?”

“The Club World Cup in the US introducing players like they’re about to fight for the heavyweight title,” wrote another soccer loyalist who also couldn’t fathom why the CWC tried to add too much flair to the final match. Yet another fan sneered, “Gives me secondhand embarrassment.” What did you think of the attempts to get the fans going for the Chelsea vs PSG match tonight? Did that, in any way, take away from your overall experience? Tell us!